Roughwater

Thanks Flatcreek!

Former Marine. 68-72. Last unit was 2nd Amtrack Btn at Courthouse Bay, Camp Lejeune NC. I also worked in Communications for close to 30 years as a civil servent at (AGMC) Air Force *** and Metrology Center and at Seymour Johonson AFB in Communications.

Jack, I am an old fart and just getting back to fishing myself. However before I buy a $$$ fishfinder I do a lot research. That said, I like the Garmin best also. For the money and the options and mapping and the simple screen menu I like Garmin Echo map model. Specifically the Echomap 73SV chirp. Personally, I wanted the a model with the sideview feature as it gives one a much bigger view of the underwater landscape and seems especially useful for smaller water. The Echomap 73SV gives you the sideview, traditional and downview or clearview as garmin calls it. You can also see all 3 views at once if you prefer. It you decide to check out that model be aware there are presently 3 variations of that model for sale that I am aware of. The oldest variation is the most basic model Echomap 73SV and does not have the Chirp feature. Then there is the 73SV with Chirp and the newest version, the 73SV plus. The difference between them basically is that the Newest model, the Plus, has Chirp and wireless capeability whereas the Chirp model doesn't have the wireless and the oldest model has neither wirelss nor Chirp. Obviously, the non chrip model is the least expensive followed by the Chirp and the most expensive is the Plus model. Also be aware that some units do not come with the transducer so be sure you know what you get with the unit before purchasing. There are also a 72 and 74 (and larger) numbered models out there. The 74SV is set up more for Salt water and often comes with coastal maps and a different Transducer with frequiences more compatible with deeper salt water. As I understand it, it doesn't utilize the higher frequiencies that give finer detail to freshwater views but use lower freqencies that better penterate salt water. The 72 is more for outside the USA such as Canada. The 73 gives better views for lakes etc. If you want a more basic model the Stricker is less expensive and has most of the features of the Echomap even a SV (side View version but only has a basic GPS function which has no actual map or card slot to allow you to install any map but does allow you to save a waypoint that you can get back to. Now the newest model Striker, the plus model allows you to create your own maps but not sure how well that works. Also if you don't feel the need for Sideview, the Echomap CV OR DV model is less expensive as well and comes in chirp on non-chirp models but I don't think they are compatible with the Panoptix feature. One plus to getting the SV (sideview) 73 SV model is the fact that it is compatible with the optional Panoptix feature which personally looks to be pretty awesome to me but requires the purchase of an additional transducer at a min cost of 700 dollars. There is also a 5" SV model but it is not compatible with panoptix as I understand. Only the 7" models and up are compatible (IE the 7 and 9SV models). The Panoptix gives you a LIVE view in real time and you can see your lure dropping in real time and the fish moving and doesn't require the boat to be moving to work. The SV unit has a special port for the Panoptix transducer but also has the normal transducer port as well so you can have both plugged in at the same time. The Panoptix port uses a Ethernet socket. I am sure as I put a ethernet cable in it just to see if it fit and it does. Another postive for SV models is that the electrical part of the unit unplugs and you can take if off to securely store it. It's waterproof as well. Oh yea, it won't help me since my finder is going on a Kayak but the SV also supports engine data and chartplotter functions that I can't really utilize but I'm sure many can who have a real boat. For myself, like I said I wanted the side view but I didn't feel like I needed the wireless but I do feel the Chirp feature is worth the extra bucks as it fires multiple frequiencies at once vs just one frequency permitting a cleaner view of the structure and fish. So I ended up getting the SV Chirp model as it was a good deal cheaper than the Plus but slightly more expensive than the Non-Chirp. The Chirp models uses a 12 pin transducer but I think the older basic SV model uses a 8 pin transducer but don't quote me on that. Again I've been researching and checking prices of these models on a regular basis and if you do the same you will see that the Plus model has not been discounted as yet but the older chirp and non chirp models often are if cost is a concern. Again, if you figured out what features you want and you go to purchase be sure it includes the transducer and or the maping software you want if any. I felt my research and all my google searches paid off as I ended up finding a 74SV chirp model with both the blue chart and the Lake Vu maps at a great price. I wanted the 73SV but the deal was so good I couldn't pass it up. Also it came with the CV51M-TM transducer which is a 400 plus dollar ducer if you had to buy it seperately. Hope you do can do as well on whatever you purchase. Hope this helps you Jack or someone else looking for a mid priced nearly full featured finder. Terry

Thanks Blue basser! Thanks. I like your quote.

Come into zee light Raul. Lol, how often I get sucked into those old posts too! The ones who lay dormant without ever seeming to have received an answer to the question. I recently realized my fishing knowledge apparently had not been updated in many years. As of a few days ago the only worm rig I was aware of was the Texas rig. Coming here and recently watching online fishing videos was like going through a fishing portal in time and suddenly learning how modern man fishes. I appreciate the patience of you all. Thanks a bunch Ces. Since lot's of you all are using them I'll be trying them out soon as well.

Hey Sean, pleased to type to you. Appreciate the welcome. Terry

LoL. Looks like you know how to hold a large bass. So many folks on this website seem to have the same talent? Appreciate the tip. Seems like a popular worm color. A guy on that famous channel that does videos (not sure if I'm allowed to say the Name of it here) recommended it so I went online and bought some finesse worms along with some trick worms and the sinko worms with 4o and 1o hooks.

I just landed here on a google search as I didn't know the difference either. Thanks all for the great info.

Pretty country out your way. I been through Morganton many times but not sure if I ever stopped there. How's the fishing in Lake James? Other than Largemouth what's to catch there?

Thank you much Mike. Good to be here electronically.

Thanks much J. Appreciate the tip. I made up some Wacky rigs at times but probably not what you had in mind.

Thanks Concept.

Hannzo24, I am sorry I got carried away and got off subject on my previous response but in short, I do believe there is a difference beyond the map and transducer. I think there is also a difference either in the software, or firmware as there are some transducers that work for the 73 and not the 74 and vice versa. I suspect the 74 is set up to take better advantage of the lower frequencies for better depth and downview/traditional in salt water and the 73 makes better use of the higher frequencies which allow for clearer imaging at shallower freshwater depths especially for sideview/clearview. Now if you were planning to hit the ocean and also inland lakes, I believe the best overall option would be the 74 especially if it comes with the CV51 or the GT51 transducer as they are powerful premium transducers. But I don't think these premium transducers are the only transducer option that comes packaged with the 74. I belive some come packaged with a lesser transducer. If you were to have to buy either of these transducers (CV51 or GT51) they retail for around 500 dollars by themselves. I don't think you can go wrong though with either especially if the Lakevu maps are included with the 74 and the combo comes with the GT51 or CV51 tansducer. Just my 2 Cents. Good luck with your purchase if you have not made it already.

Awesome, sounds like a great place to fish. Looks like staying close to home is paying off for you. If you don't mind me asking what is your favorite Bass lure? Thanks.

Thanks Bucketmouth. Much appreciated.

I don't know if you care much for ocean fish but there probably is some good fishing to be had in the bays and off the banks, piers etc in the inland waterways in your area. Up here in NC this time of year the ocean trout are in the bays and inland waterways and are pretty tasty. Probably the same along the coast in Va.

Thanks much Yak Fisherman. Ever fish the Roanoke, Staunton or New rivers? I went ahead and bought a Va annual fishing license as I only live 13 miles from the border and plan to fish in Va a lot this year if things work out. Nice fish you are holding there.

Hi, Terry here in Oxford NC, some 50 miles north of Raleigh. Yes, lots of places to fish down here. Like someone already mentioned Falls lake in the Durham area, Jorden lake near Raleigh. Many more. Go north on 85 and there is Kerr lake/Buggs/Island. Inbetween Kerr lake and Durham just off I85 there are some small lakes (no gas engine) that can be fished in Oxford (lake Devlin) but a city permit is required and there is a small lake of the same sort (no gas engine) in Creedmoor NC but one can also fish off the bank at either. No city permit required at lake Creedmoor. Buggs Island and Lake Gaston (downstream from Buggs Island/Kerr hold some stripers and some nice Crappie. If you like fishing for smallies, Walleye, or stripers drive up into Virginia to the Staunton/Roanoke River and a little farther north in VA you can go to the NEW river (oddly it's the oldest river in the world). It has some state record small mouth, Walleye and even Muskie not to mention a number of other fish. Don't forget the coast. Lots of good salt water fishing in the bays and inland waterways too. Good luck. PS, if you plan to fish up my way let me know and I'll give you some tips on where to go or even fish with you as I'm retired so got lots of time to fish (when the wife don't have something planned for me anyway).

Thanks much, Soflabasser. Appreciate it Tlauz!

Hi, I am new to this website and just kinda tripped through the door. I am 68, retired and live in NC. I think I have fished since I was about 3. My most serious fishing was when I was a Jr high age and younger. I am an ex marine doing 4 years between 68-72. I think I have fished for most every US freshwater fish and some salt as well at sometime in my life. My dad was mainly a cat fisherman. He had a simple but good plan and mainly fished Buckeye Lake in Ohio. He used 6lb test line on a zebco metal bodied reel (maybe a 303) but not sure. No weight/sinker or bobber on the line. Strictly bottom fishing. A small trebble hook and catfish charlie as the bait. Even on the bad days we caught fish. Usually we gave away what we caught and we always caught some even when no one else did. Now and then he would use a shyster spinner bait for bass but mostly he would catfish. In my later teen years I fished some creeks north of me in Ohio for smallmouth. Even in some very small creeks. I loved the small mouth fishing. Me and my friend and sometimes his dad would go out after dark in the summer and wade a local river and catch crawdad's (crayfish). We would put them in a fridge overnight and leave to go to the Kokosing River smallmouth fishing. I loved going there. Those smallmouth loved those live crawdads! Since then I have fished a lot of rivers and lakes but probably never quite so seriously as I did as a kid. Later in life I would sometimes drive up to lake Erie and fish off the shore for yellow perch. They are the best eating fish of any I ever ate. Later I bought a boat that I docked up at Erie in the western basin for a few years mainly fishing for Walleye. The lake was often very turbulant and we couldn't always go out but when I could I did. I never had a problem limiting out up there. One rainy cold day in the fall we got onto some perch and though it was rough, cold, wet the Perch hit as soon as your minnow hit the bottom and we often were catching 2 at a time. I had been working for the government at a small Air Force base as a civil servent and they decided to privatize the base so I put in for jobs at other locations and got a job at a base in North Carolina where I live now. Since leaving Ohio I haven't fished very consistantly. I did more hunting than fishing here. But I have fished some both at the coast and at some local lakes like Falls, Buggs Island (Kerr), Lake Johnson, Jorden lake etc. Also the Neuse river, the New river in Va. I caught a citation Smallmouth in the New on a large spinner a few years ago. Most recently I decided I want to get back to fishing more. I bought a fishing Kayak a couple years ago which I used very litte but lately been kinda rednecking it with a better seat, a anchor trolly etc. Just a few days ago I picked up a new garmin Echomap 74SV. I'm working on getting it and the CV51M-TM transducer set up on the yak. I would like to try some Walleye fishning in the new and the Staunton/Roaoke rivers in Va. Not many folks fish for them down here but I don't want to limit myself to just walleye for sure. I'd like to get back to catching some smallies, largmouth, Muskie and probably try my hand at trying to catch one of the HUGE catfish that call Buggs Island their home. I could even go for some spring Crappie fishing. I also just signed up for a lifetime permit to fish in Lake Devlin in Oxford NC. I plan to hit it soon, maybe even tomorrow though it's supposed to rain. I would enjoy meeting some folks that also Kayak fish in my local area. Right now I can't really float the rivers as I don't have a way to get back to my truck and I figure it's always best to fish with someone especially fishing in a yak incase things go south. Anyway if any of you read this far your a better man than me but I thank you. I'll just read the rules. I should have read them before my first post but either way I won't be any trouble. I have no affiliations with any dealers and only came here to learn more and be of help in any small way I can to you all. Thanks and best of luck fishing.

Here is some more info on Garmin Transducers: The GT30 is chirp and 455/800 but don't have 2D. The GT-40 is for fresh water and the 41 for Salt. Both have non-Chirp 2D and sideview and downview. The freshwater 2D is 77/200. The Salt water 2D is 50/200 fresh side and down is 455/800., Salt side and down 260/455. The 50 and 51 are also for fresh and salt water, but they are also Chirp downview and sideview. The 50 2D chirp is 85-165 and the 51 2D chirp is 80-160, fresh water sideview and down view is 455/800 and Salt side view and down view 260/455. The 52 has 2D sideview, downview and all Chirp. 2D is 150-240 and sideview and downview is 455/800. For freshwater the 40 and 51 should have the best overall side and down detail but the saltwater versions should provide wider/deeper coverage. However the GT-52 looks to provide the best overall low range 2D Chirp for many situations but one size don't necessairly fit everyone's needs. For what it's worth none of the 260/455/800 chirps are exactly those freqs. They are just called noted as such. They are in those ranges but can vary from one transducer to the other.

Hi, I'm new at this site. I previously thought aside from the transducer, the only difference between the Garmin ECHOMAP 73SV and 74SV models was the type of map they came with but after further research I believe that assumption was incorrect. I had been looking hard for a 73SV Chirp but just couldn't find one at quite the price I was willing to pay. I wanted the 73SV as I wanted the sideview and the Lakevu maps as I will mostly fish inland lakes. Well, suddenly, just a couple days ago, I found a 74SV Chirp online with both the coastal and LakeVu maps at a really good price and to top it off it came with the GT51M-TM Transducer. This is a premium Transducer! ( The CHIRP DownVü/SideVü elements have a power rating of 500W per element (1,500W total) and operating frequencies of 260/455 kHz. The traditional CHIRP sonar has a power rating of 600W and operating frequencies of mid-band CHIRP 80-160 kHz. It also includes a built-in fast response temperature sensor). This is a 400 dollar transducer if you were to purchase it alone. This transducer has 3 chirp elements. I mention that as from what I can best tell, the the CV52-hw transducer that comes with the stock 73 SV have only 2 side elements and no actual down element. The 2 side elements are combined to produce the clearview/downview. I'm not saying that's a bad thing as I suspect it works quite well in shallower lake water. However I believe the older model 73SV has the GT52HW-TM—High Wide CHIRP, 250W and CHIRP ClearVü, 500W transducer. Some of these older one's are still out there for sale. For what it's worth I saw online some folks were up in arms that the GT transponder had been replaced with the CV version. Primairly what I working up to is that I believe there is either a programming difference between the 73 and 74 or a hardware difference otherwise any transducers made for the 74SV would work with the 73SV and that is not the case. I noticed the PS-30 Pantonix transducer will work with 73 or 74SV but the PS-22 Pantonix will NOT work with the 74SV. The PS-21 Pantonix transducer will work with either of the chirp 73SV or Chirp74SV. This info is per the Garmin outlet website, just go to the site and type in the appropriate transponder ID. There are other transponders that work with the 73SV and not the 74SV and vise versa. This is the transponder that comes with the newer Garmin Echomap 73SV Chirp units (CV52HW-TM) The 12-pin transducer features high wide band CHIRP traditional sonar (150-240 kHz) and has a power rating of 250 W. The CHIRP ClearVü and CHIRP SideVü (455/800 kHz) elements have a power rating of 350 W each (700 W total). It also includes a built-in fast response temperature sensor. However note that the premium transponder for the 74SV that I mentioned above has double the power of the CV52HW-TM and has the downview element at 500 W with 600 w for the traditional view. That said I am sure there are a lot of other factors to consider other than the power of the transducer. The cone angle, the frequency etc has a lot to do with view on your finder. I suspect the newer 73SV models do just fine with the lower power output but at higher frequency of getting a great picture of lake. It's clear that the 74SV will see the bottom of very deep water better than the 73SV but without a side by side comparison of the side view on your average lake I couldn't say which would have the better view? I am definitely no expert, nor do I claim to know even half of what there is to know about these Echomap models. There are likely other model transducers that come with these units so it's best to read all the fine print if you are thinking to purchase one so you know exactly what you are getting. Be aware some of these units don't even come with a transducer. Many of the newer 73SV/93SV plus models don't come with a transducer. So if you see a unbelivable price on one it's best to read very close before pulling the trigger. If you want the side view like me then you don't want the CV model for sure and if you want the option of Panoptix it's best to get the SV Chirp or Chirp plus model but I think some of the DV models are also Panoptix compatible. But if you mainly want just downview and you could care less about the Panoptix option you could save a lot of money by getting the CV model or CV Chirp model. If you really want WiFI then get one of the new Echomap plus models. Please feel free to correct me if I wrote something that is incorrect as I am just learning myself as I go but am very open to learning more. If you have an interest in knowing more about Garmin 73SV and 74SV Transducers there is a wealth of info in this short read: http://www.***.net/showthread.php?t=679230 missing data in link above is: ***